In a significant breakthrough under Operation Hawk, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sheikh Muizz Ahmed, a resident of Mangaluru, for allegedly exploiting a minor girl in the United States through online platforms. The arrest was based on a tip-off from US authorities aimed at dismantling cross-border child exploitation networks.

Ahmed allegedly operated under the Discord username “heisenberg7343” and is accused of initiating explicit conversations in March 2024, coercing the victim to share obscene photos and videos, and intimidating her into continued engagement.

Following a case registered by the CBI’s International Operations Division, raids were carried out at multiple locations in Mangaluru and Mumbai. Investigators recovered a mobile phone and a laptop containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Ahmed was remanded to judicial custody under various provisions of the IPC, IT Act, and POCSO Act.

In a related case, Mukul Saini of Delhi was also booked for exploiting a minor on Discord using multiple accounts, including “Izumi#9412” and “Deadddd#6873.” He allegedly threatened to leak obscene content if the victim refused to comply. Searches at his Delhi residence yielded digital evidence, including mobile phones and hard drives.

The CBI reaffirmed its commitment to combating global cyber abuse involving minors, with Operation Hawk building on earlier initiatives like Operations CARBON (2021) and Megh Chakra (2022). Further arrests and international collaborations are expected as investigations deepen.